Mapai Kibbutzim Ask Merger of All Socialist Parties in Israel

October 21, 1957

TEL AVIV (Oct. 20)

Calls for the political merger of all Zionist-Socialist parties in Israel and for a merger of all kibbutz movements in the country were issued today in resolutions adopted at the conclusion of the third annual convention of the collective settlements associated with the Mapai Party. Such mergers of all “constructore pioneering forces in Israel.” stated the resolutions, would “ensure a stable regime in Israel.”

Leaders of the left-wing Mapam Party declared that the call for the consolidation of all Zionist-Socialist parties here was “unrealistic.” saying that the “sudden slogan for merger enunciated by Mapat, is merely practical and of no practical value.”

Meanwhile top members of Mapam have scheduled a meeting to be held in Jerusalem tomorrow to evaluate the party’s partnership with Mapai in the government coalition. Mapam secretary Nathan Pailid has said publicly that members of his party accuse Mapai of retaining all powers inside the coalition, causing “ill feelings” among other component parties of the coalition. Mapam, it is understood, will demand that the coalition government take steps to ensure the real value of wages of workers in this country; see to it that all of the partners in the coalition participate equally in government work, including the foreign service and the economic offices; and eliminate military governorship over areas inhabited by Arabs.